Scientists find a key molecule that may enable the origin of life in a region …

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The formation of sugars is central to most proposals on the origins of life—sugars are integrated into DNA, RNA, carbohydrates, and numerous other biological compounds. So, when scientists search for signs of alien life, they look for sugars or their precursors. Last week, European astronomers announced that they discovered one of these key organic molecules in a star-forming region of our galaxy that could contain planets capable of harboring life.

Glycolaldehyde has been spotted in the galactic center, but the conditions there are considered too harsh for life. This is the first time it has been spotted in a milder region of the galaxy. Scientists generally agree that glycolaldehyde plays a pivotal role in the prebiotic synthesis of ribose, the sugar in RNA, and it is also proposed to be a precursor to amino acids.

Glycolaldehyde produces signature emissions in the radio and microwave wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, and astronomers can detect these emissions with a radio telescope. In this case, the scientists used the French IRAM (Institut de Radio Astronomie Millimetrique) interferometer to find glycolaldehyde in a region of the galaxy that contains newly formed stars.

As glycolaldehyde has now been found in both the galactic center and in a star forming region, this key compound may be common throughout the galaxy. Thus, astronomers take this discovery as a positive indication for the possibility of alien life.

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Yun Xie
Yun Xie / Yun Xie is a contributing science writer at Ars, where she covers the latest advancements in science and technology for Ars. She currently works in scientific communications, policy, and review. Emailreenxie@gmail.com//Twitter@yun_xie